The Ecological Teaching and Learning Program at Lesley

"Ecology is not a course, nor is it a program. It is the foundation of all courses, all programs, all professions." Thomas Berry

Environmental Education Evolves to Ecological Teaching and Learning at Lesley University

Environmental Education is often marginalized or seen as an add-on to school curriculum. Ecological Teaching an Learning integrates ecological literacy into all aspects of education and inspires a new lens for all teachers.

• Ecological education is a departure from the dominant worldview that has us separating, isolating, and fracturing the elements of understanding.
• Ecological education focuses on the whole - the interconnections, patterns and interactions; and the resulting critical understanding of complexity and systems dynamics.
• Ecological education is the infusion of ecological principles into any curriculum, program or teaching opportunity across all disciplines at any grade or age level.
• Ecological education provides an understanding of our own
  ecological identities, which becomes a hallmark of our work as educators.

A Program Designed for Educators

The Master of Science in Ecological Teaching and Learning (ETL) is designed for educators from private and public schools; museums; non-profit centers; environmental centers; government organizations; and other alternative teaching settings who want to deepen their own understanding of ecology, sustainability, living systems and ecological education and to apply their learning to their professional contexts. It is intended for those educators who want to expand their understanding and practice of ecological teaching and learning pedagogies. Teachers from across the disciplines – not just science teachers – complete this program.

"For me the program has been phenomenal in giving me the language to talk about what I believe and try to practice." -- Dalene Dutton, High School Science Teacher.

A Program Structured on Field Experience and Distance Learning

The Ecological Teaching and Learning is an 18 month accelerated program that includes two summer field experiences and distance learning in the fall and spring semesters. The first summer field experience is in a beautiful wild place – Cobscook Bay in Maine. The second summer field experience is in a dynamic urban setting – currently Boston. The 2012 Maine summer field experience will take place from July 6th - July 26th. The 2012 Pacific Northwest field experience will take place from June 30th - July 20th.